Congressman Keith Self and Congressman Kevin Mullin Introduce Bill to Improve Access to Care for Veterans with Hearing Loss
May 21, 2026 Press Release Congressman Keith Self (TX-03), along with Congressman Kevin Mullin (CA-15), introduced the Veterans Hearing Aid Improvement Act which would improve access to over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids for eligible veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This bill is a companion to S. 3739, introduced by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Adam Schiff (D-CA). Hearing loss is by far the most prevalent service-connected disability among American veterans. In 2017, President Trump signed into law legislation directing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to establish a category of over-the-counter hearing aids for adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. Many veterans experience long wait times for audiology appointments, particularly in rural or high-demand areas. FDA-cleared OTC hearing aids are intended to expand access and fill this gap. “The VA has a responsibility to use taxpayer dollars wisely while improving care for veterans,” said Congressman Self. “By evaluating lower cost hearing aid options that can still deliver strong results, we have the opportunity to improve healthcare and access to treatment, all while reducing costs for the VA.” “I know firsthand how essential hearing aids are for people with hearing loss to stay connected to their families, their communities, and the world around them,” said Congressman Mullin. “Our veterans deserve reliable access to high-quality hearing care and the support they need to live healthy, independent lives after their service. No veteran who sacrificed for our country should feel as though they have to choose between their hearing and affording other necessities. In Congress, I will always work to ensure that all Americans have access to hearing support that helps them continue living full, connected lives.” Veterans Hearing Aid Improvement Act: The Veterans Hearing Aid Improvement Act would establish a two-year pilot program to evaluate the use of FDA-cleared OTC hearing aids for veterans with mild-to-moderate hearing loss, subject to clinical supervision and VA oversight. Require the VA Secretary to select at least two VA medical facilities in different Veterans Integrated Services Networks to conduct the pilot; and Require an interim report after the first year and a final report to Congress evaluating the program’s findings, effectiveness, and fiscal impact of the program on the VA. If successful, the Veterans Hearing Aid Improvement Act aims to reduce costs at VA. This bill is supported by: American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, Concerned Veterans for America, Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA), AARP, and Consumer Technology Association (CTA). “Establishing a demonstration program in the Veterans Administration to test coverage of over-the-counter hearing aids will improve the quality of life for numerous veterans. This demonstration project will also provide data and insights into how access to self-guided hearing technologies can bring value to the VA by improving health outcomes at lower costs,” said Megan O’Reilly, Vice President of Government Affairs, AARP. “The demonstration project created by this bill will test the benefit of professional-fitted prescription hearing aids compared to self-guided over-the-counter hearing aids. Learnings from this two-year demonstration will help guide policy and coverage decisions so that more Americans can have access to affordable, high-quality hearing health care. AARP applauds your bipartisan leadership in caring for our nation’s military service members and your interest in improving hearing health for all Americans.” “The Hearing Loss Association of America is proud to support the Veterans Hearing Aid Improvement Act. Hearing loss and tinnitus are the most common service-connected disabilities, yet far too many veterans face obstacles when seeking the hearing health care they need. By allowing the Department of Veterans Affairs to evaluate the use of FDA-approved, self-fitting over-the-counter hearing aids, this legislation offers a practical solution that could expand access, reduce costs, and empower veterans to take an active role in managing their hearing health. We commend Congressmen Self and Mullin for their leadership and look forward to working together to get this legislation passed,” said Barbara Kelley, Executive Director, HLAA. “CTA strongly supports the Veterans Hearing Aid Improvement Act because it puts affordable, over-the-counter innovation to work for veterans,” said Kinsey Fabrizio, President, CTA. “CTA has long championed policies that expand access to safe, effective OTC hearing aids, and this legislation builds on that commitment by cutting red tape, reducing costs, and delivering faster access to hearing care for veterans—while also saving taxpayer dollars.” “ADA applauds representatives Self and Mullin for introducing the Veterans Hearing Aid Improvement Act,” said Jill Davis, Au.D., President, ADA. “Authorizing audiologists to make clinical determinations about the appropriateness of OTC hearing aids for their veteran patients will support innovation and flexibility, while maintaining necessary safeguards. This legislation will ensure that veterans have the same access to all safe and effective options for the treatment of mild-to-moderate hearing loss that are already available to other Americans.” “The American Legion is proud to support the Veterans Hearing Aid Improvement Act. This legislation establishes a two-year pilot program to expand access to over-the-counter, self-fitting hearing aids for veterans with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. By modernizing outdated VA processes and reducing barriers to care, this bill ensures that veterans can obtain the hearing support they need quickly and affordably… On behalf of our 1.5 million members, The American Legion thanks the sponsors of this bipartisan legislation for advancing practical, cost-effective solutions that enhance veterans’ health care and independence,” said Cole Lyle, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation (VA&R) Director, The American Legion. ###
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May 21, 2026 Press Release Congressman Keith Self (TX-03), along with Congressman Kevin Mullin (CA-15), introduced the Veterans Hearing Aid Improvement Act which would improve access to over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids for eligible veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This bill is a companion to S. 3739, introduced by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Adam Schiff (D-CA). Hearing loss is by far the most prevalent service-connected disability among American veterans. In 2017, President Trump signed into law legislation directing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to establish a category of over-the-counter hearing aids for adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. Many veterans experience long wait times for audiology appointments, particularly in rural or high-demand areas. FDA-cleared OTC hearing aids are intended to expand access and fill this gap. “The VA has a responsibility to use taxpayer dollars wisely while improving care for veterans,” said Congressman Self. “By evaluating lower cost hearing aid options that can still deliver strong results, we have the opportunity to improve healthcare and access to treatment, all while reducing costs for the VA.” “I know firsthand how essential hearing aids are for people with hearing loss to stay connected to their families, their communities, and the world around them,” said Congressman Mullin. “Our veterans deserve reliable access to high-quality hearing care and the support they need to live healthy, independent lives after their service. No veteran who sacrificed for our country should feel as though they have to choose between their hearing and affording other necessities. In Congress, I will always work to ensure that all Americans have access to hearing support that helps them continue living full, connected lives.” Veterans Hearing Aid Improvement Act: The Veterans Hearing Aid Improvement Act would establish a two-year pilot program to evaluate the use of FDA-cleared OTC hearing aids for veterans with mild-to-moderate hearing loss, subject to clinical supervision and VA oversight. Require the VA Secretary to select at least two VA medical facilities in different Veterans Integrated Services Networks to conduct the pilot; and Require an interim report after the first year and a final report to Congress evaluating the program’s findings, effectiveness, and fiscal impact of the program on the VA. If successful, the Veterans Hearing Aid Improvement Act aims to reduce costs at VA. This bill is supported by: American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, Concerned Veterans for America, Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA), American AARP, and Consumer Technology Association (CTA). “Establishing a demonstration program in the Veterans Administration to test coverage of over-the-counter hearing aids will improve the quality of life for numerous veterans. This demonstration project will also provide data and insights into how access to self-guided hearing technologies can bring value to the VA by improving health outcomes at lower costs,” said Megan O’Reilly, Vice President of Government Affairs, AARP. “The demonstration project created by this bill will test the benefit of professional-fitted prescription hearing aids compared to self-guided over-the-counter hearing aids. Learnings from this two-year demonstration will help guide policy and coverage decisions so that more Americans can have access to affordable, high-quality hearing health care. AARP applauds your bipartisan leadership in caring for our nation’s military service members and your interest in improving hearing health for all Americans.” “The Hearing Loss Association of America is proud to support the Veterans Hearing Aid Improvement Act. Hearing loss and tinnitus are the most common service-connected disabilities, yet far too many veterans face obstacles when seeking the hearing health care they need. By allowing the Department of Veterans Affairs to evaluate the use of FDA-approved, self-fitting over-the-counter hearing aids, this legislation offers a practical solution that could expand access, reduce costs, and empower veterans to take an active role in managing their hearing health. We commend Congressmen Self and Mullin for their leadership and look forward to working together to get this legislation passed,” said Barbara Kelley, Executive Director, HLAA. “CTA strongly supports the Veterans Hearing Aid Improvement Act because it puts affordable, over-the-counter innovation to work for veterans,” said Kinsey Fabrizio, President, CTA. “CTA has long championed policies that expand access to safe, effective OTC hearing aids, and this legislation builds on that commitment by cutting red tape, reducing costs, and delivering faster access to hearing care for veterans—while also saving taxpayer dollars.” “ADA applauds representatives Self and Mullin for introducing the Veterans Hearing Aid Improvement Act,” said Jill Davis, Au.D., President, ADA. “Authorizing audiologists to make clinical determinations about the appropriateness of OTC hearing aids for their veteran patients will support innovation and flexibility, while maintaining necessary safeguards. This legislation will ensure that veterans have the same access to all safe and effective options for the treatment of mild-to-moderate hearing loss that are already available to other Americans.” “The American Legion is proud to support the Veterans Hearing Aid Improvement Act. This legislation establishes a two-year pilot program to expand access to over-the-counter, self-fitting hearing aids for veterans with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. By modernizing outdated VA processes and reducing barriers to care, this bill ensures that veterans can obtain the hearing support they need quickly and affordably… On behalf of our 1.5 million members, The American Legion thanks the sponsors of this bipartisan legislation for advancing practical, cost-effective solutions that enhance veterans’ health care and independence,” said Cole Lyle, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation (VA&R) Director, The American Legion. ###
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